Statement to Employees by Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, General Michael V. Hayden on the Upcoming Retirement of the Director of the National Clandestine Service

August 8, 2007

When I became CIA Director, I was delighted that Jose Rodriguez chose to stay on as part of my team. I knew him well, having worked with him while I was at NSA and when I served as PDDNI. We have since then worked well together on a host of critical issues. But I knew Jose had been considering retirement for some time, and he recently informed me of his intention to step down later this year. He made his decision after more than three decades of distinguished service with the CIA—an exceptional career that took him to the top of his profession as Director of the National Clandestine Service.   

Jose built a reputation for leadership in the field and here at headquarters, and he guided some of the agency’s greatest counter-terror victories. Beyond his operational skill, he brought to each assignment a real sense for people and a gift for developing intelligence officers. With the establishment of the National Clandestine Service in October 2005, Jose brought higher standards and greater coordination to human espionage operations across the Intelligence Community. 

He has done much to protect our country by strengthening its Clandestine Service, a vital arm of our nation’s defense. While the CIA will miss his talent and wisdom, Jose’s commitment and dedication will find lasting reflection in the men and women he led with both care and daring. They should be for him, as they are for me, a source of enduring pride.

Jose also sought recently to have his operational cover lifted—and that, indeed, has proved to be possible. He is no longer under cover. That gives him the chance, as Director of the National Clandestine Service, to speak publicly on key intelligence issues. Next week, at the invitation of Congressman Silvestre Reyes, chairman of our House oversight committee, Jose will attend a security conference in Texas, where he will be part of a panel on diversity as an operational imperative. It is something in which we all strongly believe.              

As Jose continues his duties, the search for a new head of our Clandestine Service is well underway. It is a crucial post, to be filled only after the most careful consideration. I hope to announce Jose’s successor in the near future. Please join Steve, Michael, and me in thanking Jose for his outstanding service to our country and our agency. 

Mike Hayden